Edge animation multiple image display device

Abstract

A toy device unit that includes a pair of stacked transparent plates coupled to a housing. A user can write images on each plate. Mounted to the housing is a first light source aligned with an edge of the first plate and a second light source aligned with an edge of the second plate. The unit has a switch that can be moved by a user to illuminate either the first plate or the second plate.

1. A toy drawing device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a first transparent plate that is coupled to said housing and has an edge; 
 a second transparent plate that is coupled to said housing and has an edge; 
 a first light source mounted to said housing and aligned with said edge of said first transparent plate; 
 a second light source mounted to said housing and aligned with said edge of said second transparent plate; and, 
 a switch coupled to said first and second light sources. 
 
   
   
     2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said switch causes illumination of either said first transparent plate or said second transparent plate. 
   
   
     3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second light sources include light emitting diodes. 
   
   
     4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second transparent plates are pivotally attached to said housing. 
   
   
     5. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a writing instrument to write on said first and second transparent plates. 
   
   
     6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second transparent plates are essentially parallel to each other. 
   
   
     7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first light source includes a row of light sources and said second light source includes a row of light sources. 
   
   
     8. A method for operating a toy drawing device, comprising:
 moving a switch to a first position to illuminate a first transparent plate with a first light source; and, 
 moving the switch to a second position to illuminate a second transparent plate with a second light source. 
 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising moving the first and second transparent plates relative to a housing that holds the first and second light sources. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising writing on the first transparent plate and the second transparent plate. 
   
   
     11. A toy drawing device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a first transparent plate that is coupled to said housing and has an edge; 
 a second transparent plate that is coupled to said housing and has an edge; 
 a first light source mounted to said housing and aligned with said edge of said first transparent plate; 
 a second light source mounted to said housing and aligned with said edge of said second transparent plate; and, 
 a circuit that allows said first and second light sources to be alternatively turned on and off. 
 
   
   
     12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein said circuit includes a switch that causes illumination of either said first transparent plate or said second transparent plate. 
   
   
     13. The device of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second light sources include light emitting diodes. 
   
   
     14. The device of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second transparent plates are pivotally attached to said housing. 
   
   
     15. The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a writing instrument to write on said first and second transparent plates. 
   
   
     16. The device of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second transparent plates are essentially parallel to each other. 
   
   
     17. The device of  claim 11 , wherein said first light source includes a row of light sources and said second light source includes a row of light sources. 
   
   
     18. A method for operating a toy drawing device, comprising:
 operating a circuit to illuminate a first transparent plate with a first light source; and, 
 operating the circuit to illuminate a second transparent plate with a second light source. 
 
   
   
     19. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising moving the first and second transparent plates relative to a housing that holds the first and second light sources. 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising writing on the first transparent plate and the second transparent plate.